Chronicle Editor
Harare Bureau
FORMER How Mine FC star winger Emmanuel Mandiranga can’t wait to make his bow in the CAF Champions League next month for his Mozambican side UD Songo.
The former Dynamos, FC Platinum, Harare City, How Mine and CAPS United player has never played in the elite continental club championship with his only experience in Africa coming in the CAF Confederation Cup when he was still with How Mine.
But now turning out for Mozambique giants UD Songo, the speedy forward is looking forward to a maiden dance in the CAF Champions League next month.
Together with former Dynamos teammate Tinotenda Muringai, Mandiranga joined UD Songo early this year after an impressive season in the Castle Lager Premier Soccer League last year.
The 27-year-old endured struggles in the initial stages of the on-going Mozambican league after missing the first two games of the season due to an ankle sprain.
He is back to his feet and making great strides in coach Srdan Zivojnov second-placed charges.
The Zimbabwean has notched a goal and three assists in eight starts in the league.
UD Songo are second on the log with 19 points in 11 outings, four points behind leaders Black Bulls Maputo with the same number of matches played.
Mandiranga and Muringai who Zivojnov is playing in the same flank are back home as the Mozambican league is on a brief break.
While Mandiranga is aiming to win the league title in Mozambique, he is also aiming high in what is set to be his maiden dance in the CAF Champions League.
“First and foremost, my decision to join UD Songo in the Mozambican league was motivated by my desire to play in the CAF Champions League.
“You know as a player, you always want to participate at the highest level and the prospect of playing in Africa in part pushed me to pen a deal with UD Songo,” said Mandiranga.
“It’s a great opportunity to play in the Champions League for me. I am quite happy about that”.
Mandiranga said although language is the biggest barrier in Mozambique, having Muringai with him and welcoming teammates have made it easier for him to adjust.
“So far so good. We are always hanging around with Tino Muringai and the coach has decided to play us on the same flank which is really working for us.
“Other players have also welcomed us and we are feeling great in this team. Personally, the injury that I suffered in the initial stages of my stay in Mozambique affected me a lot.
“I struggled with my confidence when I recovered but I am now back to full fitness playing well in most of the matches that I have been thrust into.
“We are about four points behind the leaders but we have every reason to be optimistic. I think the league title race is still open. We need to put our act together going into the second round of fixtures.
“We have to play well as a team and make Zimbabwe proud by winning the league title in a foreign country”.
Online Reporter